I must tell you it was the British Empire and Soviet Union that saved America not the other way round. Just because you came in late you think you won the war. In reality the balance of power was already slipping away from Hitler long before the first GIs were very belatedly on the ground. The manhatten project was started by British sdcinetists long before it was moved to New Mexico. By the way where were you guys for the first 2 and a half years when the fight between tyranny and democracy was going on? Oh, that's right you were being selfish! For all the claims your country makes about being a shinniing light of freedom and democratic values when the proverbial you know what hit the fan you guys just ignored the threat and stuck your collective heads in the sand. It's a good
thing Churchill had the balls to stand up to the Nazis otherwise I imagine Germany would have made a quick peace
treaty with Britain and her Empire and then gone straight for the undefended US of A.
I dont intend to sidetrack this post with a history lesson, however I must comment on this.While I am definitely in agreement that the U.S. always portraysitself as the savior of the Second World War, I would be selling my college education short if I attempted to agree 100% with your post lotus. While no the U.S. did not single handedly save the World, their entry in to the War was a gigantic windfall for the Allies. As you all are no doubt aware, the U.S. entered WW II on December 7th 1941, after the events of Pearl Harbour. At that time the War was
NOT going well for the Allies. Throughout 1940-41 the Allies saw setback after setback as they were faced with a well trained, well equipped, highly mobile German military.
1940:
The Germans utterly obliterated the French Army as they circumvented the Maginot Line, crossing through Belgium in 1940. This left a small British Expeditionary Force to "stall" the German advance. The British Army, along with a small contingent of Canadians were beaten back to Dunkerque France, where they evacuated France under Operation Dynamo. Post-Dunkerque, the British Army, and what remained of the French Army, was a shambles, with many units missing
ALL of their vehicles (having abandon them in France), or simply missing a vast majority of their men, either left behind, or having disembarked in another port in England altogether. on June 6th 1940 (4 years exactly before D-Day) the British High Command conceded that the Royal Army was
NOT COMBAT EFFECTIVE and as such their
ONLY effective defense against a German invasion were the 1st Canadian Infantry Division (having been in England since 1939, with some units fighting in France), and the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division fresh from Canada. Two Infantry Divisions squared off against the some 12 various Divisions of the German Army in Western Europe. This was a major problem for the Allies, obviously. Throughout the fall of 1940 England braced for a German invasion. The Germans constantly bombed England during this period known simply as "The Blitz". Two things stalled the forseen invasion of England by the Germans. One being the fact that the Allies were
SLIGHTLY winning the air battle, otherwise known as the Battle of Britain" (a Battle they ended up winning in mid-1941 and thus ruling out all potential for an invasion). The second factor was that the Germans, unbeknownst to the Allies, had postponed Operation Sealion (the invasion of England) to allow them to shuffle troops to the newly formed Afrika Korps.
1941:
The German Army, having beaten and subjugated France, Norway, Belgium, Holland, and Denmark, now turned their sights to the desert. The Italians had invaded Egypt in the fall of 1940, and in the early months of 1941, the Germans arrived in North Africa to widen their hold. The Allies had enjoyed easy victories against the useless (I'm being far too kind with this word usage) Italian Army, and therefore were not prepared for the Afrika Korps. The Korps arrived in February of 1941, and launched an all out offensive on the British Stronghold of Tobruk in April, being utterly repulsed by the British. This is the
ONLY successful turn of events for the British in North Africa in early 1941. For the rest of the year the Afrika Korps literally trounces the Allies.
Meanwhile, on June 22, 1941, Operation Barbarossa begins; the German invasion of the Soviet Union. The Soviets, caught completely unprepared, are decimated by the German blitzkreig tactics perfected in France in 1940. In less than 3 weeks the Germans push through the Soviet frontlines and cross the Dnieper River in the Ukraine. In August the Germans begin the siege of Leningrad (as of 1991 St. Petersburg). On September 19th 1941 the Germans capture Kiev. On September 29th 1941 the German troops in Kiev are ordered to murder every Jew they find. In total over 33,000 Jews are murdered in the street. In October Operation Typhoon begins, the German offensive to capture Moscow. Throughout October the major cities of Kharkov and Sevastopol fall to the Germans. By December 1941 the Germans surround Moscow, only to have the operation canceled by Hitler on December 5th. The Soviets go on the offensive on December 6th, pushing the Germans back from Moscow, only to be blunted themselves by a fierce German counter-attack. The following day the Japanese attack Pearl Harbour and the Americans enter the War.
Throughout the rest of December 1941, the Japanese expand across the Pacific invading; the Philippines, Burma, Borneo, Hong Kong, Luzon, and Wake Island.
*A bit of Canadian History*
In the fall of 1941, at the request of the British Army, Canada sent 1,975 soldiers to Hong Kong. The two Canadian Infantry Regiments; the Royal Rifles of Canada (from Quebec City) and the Winnipeg Grenadiers were to augment the British garrison. On December 18th, 1941, the Japanese invaded the island and completely cut off the defenders. For seven (7) days the British and Canadians fought off an entire Japanese Division until they were forced to surrender on December 25th, 1941. Those that were taken in to captivity were brutally treated and many never survived the four brutal years as POWs. As a side note, on December 19th, 1941, Sgt. Major John Robert Osborn of the 1st Battalion The Winnipeg Grenadiers earned the Victoria Cross (Canada's highest award for bravery) during the Battle of Mount Butler. His citation reads:
At Hong Kong on the morning of the 19th of December, 1941, a company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers to which Company Sergeant-Major Osborn belonged, became divided during an attack on Mount Butler, a hill rising steeply above sea level. A part of the company led by Company Sergeant-Major Osborn captured the hill at the point of the bayonet and held it for three hours when, owing to the superior numbers of the enemy and to fire from an unprotected flank, the position became untenable. Company Sergeant-Major Osborn and a small group covered the withdrawal, and when their turn came to fall back Osborn, single-handed, engaged the enemy while the remainder successfully joined the company. Company Sergeant-Major Osborn had to run the gauntlet of heavy rifle and machine-gun fire. With no consideration for his own safety he assisted and directed stragglers to the new company position, exposing himself to heavy enemy fire to cover their retirement. Wherever danger threatened he was there to encourage his men.
During the afternoon the company was cut off from the battalion and completely surrounded by the enemy, who were able to approach to within grenade throwing distance of the slight depression which the company was holding. Several enemy grenades were thrown which Company Sergeant-Major Osborn picked up and threw back. The enemy threw a grenade which landed in a position where it was impossible to pick it up and return it in time. Shouting a warning to his comrades this gallant Warrant Officer threw himself on the grenade which exploded, killing him instantly. His self-sacrifice undoubtedly saved the lives of many others.
Company Sergeant-Major Osborn was an inspiring example to all throughout the defence which he assisted so magnificently in maintaining against an overwhelming enemy force for over eight and a half hours, and in his death he displayed the highest quality of heroism and self-sacrifice.
1942:
As you can see from above, the War was
NOT going well for the Allies. Granted yes, in early 1942 Montgomery pushed the Afrika Korps back to El Agheila, however that is the only major victory of early 1942. Through '42 the Allies continued to face stiff Axis opposition in the desert. Rommel counter-attacked from El Agheila and captured Tobruk in June of 1942. Rommel then moved on to face the British at El Alamein, which was fought to a stalemate. During the 2nd Battle of El Alamein (November 1942) the Allies successfully push through the German lines. On November 8th Operation Torch begins, the U.S. invasion of North Africa, this marks the begining of the end of the Afrika Korps.
I should point out that on August 19th, 1942, the Canadian Army launched the Dieppe Raid, also known as Operation Rutter. The raid of 5,000 Canadians, 700 British Commandos, and 50 U.S. Rangers, due to poor support from the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, is a disaster with 907 Canadians being killed and 1'946 being taken prisoner. While a failure, the raid is credited with ensuring the same mistakes were not made during Operation Overlord in 1944.
In the Pacific the U.S. began to take the War to the Japanese. In all there is really too much to list from death marches to ships lost at sea, to the infamous "Doolittle Raid" on Tokoyo. Throughout '42 the Japanese continue to caputer island chains, however the U.S. Navy defeats the Japanese at the Battle of Midway in June 1942, and the War in the Pacific begins to turn in the Allies favor.
1943:
This is where the War begins to turn in Europe. The Soviets begin their offensive at Stalingrad (later Volgograd) and the Germans in the city officially surrender on February 2nd 1943. This is the first major defeat of the German Army. Meanwhile the Allies push the remnants of the Afrika Corps out of North Africa and begin the invasion of Sicily and later the invasion of Italy.
I could go on, but frankly my fingers are sore and I need to go to bed. I posted this to highlight the fact that while the U.S. did not charge in like the calvary and save the day, they did come in at a point where the Germans were putting the screws to the Allies. Without U.S. support would Operation Sealion have go ahead in 1942 as planned? Would we even have won the War? If so how long would it have taken? Who knows, but this Canadian (and Grandson of two WW II vets) will never sell the U.S. short for their involvment. They sacrificed just like we did, and to that we owe them a debt we can never repay.
